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CjJ4 ) 



INDIAN CLUBS, DUMB-BELLS, 



AND 



SWORD "EXERCISES. 



INDIAN CLUBS. 




INDIAN CLUBS, 




By the late PROFESSOR ^LARRISON. 



LONDON: 

DEAN AND SON, PUBLISHERS AND FACTOBS, 
160a, FLEET STKEET, E.G. 



or 



• lab. 



[^4/7 Rights vf T ratulation and Reprodtution are 

V • ^ p 

"^Reserved.] 

^ '4 



9y traaafsr from 

Pat. 



PREFACE. 



Professor Harrison, one of the strongest men who 
have ever lived, had the honour of appearing before her 
Most Gracious Majesty, and of receiving testimonials 
from the ex-Queen of Oude and various illustrious per- 
sonages and foreign notabilities. The Committee of the 
Scotch Fetes at Holland Park awarded him the costly 
belt he used to wear in his public performances. The 
Rajah of Coorg also testified to the value of his teach- 
ings by the presentation of a handsome silver snuff-box ; 
and among his pupils might be mentioned the Prince of 
Oude, the King of Scinde, the Prince Sarat, as well as 
numerous scions of the nobility and aristocracy of Great 
Britain. At the Holland Park fetes and at the gymna- 
sium at Saville House, Leicester Square, he was uni- 
versally admitted to be the most able and graceful per- 
former with the Indian Clubs, and as an instructor in 
the exercises peculiar to this instrument he was un- 
rivalled. A Second Edition of his book, it is hoped, 
will therefore prove acceptable to all who are desirous 
of perfecting themselves in the various feats of strength 
for which he was celebrated. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Indian Club Exercises— 

L Introductory 1 

II. Preliminary Training 1 

III. The Old and New System of Training . 9 

IV. The Clubs 15 

V. The First Exercises . . . . . 15 

VI. Further Instructions in the Use of the 

Indian Club 22 

Dumb-Bells— 

I. The Proper Use of Dumb-bells . . 28 
II. The English Method of Using the Dumb- 
bells . . 30 

French Dumb-Bells 34 

Expert Feats with the Sword— 

I. Severing the Lemon on the Naked Hand 40 

II. Peeling the Apple in the Handkerchief . 43 
III. Cutting an Apple Inside a Silk Handker- 
chief, without Injuring the Latter . . 44 



viii 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

IV. To Cut a Broomstick Placed on the Edges 

of Two Tumblers op Water . . . 45 ' 

V. Dividing a Suspended Orange . . . 46 i 

VI. Dividing the Carcase of a Whole Sheep . 48 \ 

VIL Cutting the Leg of Mutton . . . . 49 

VIII. Cutting the Bar of Lead . . . .49 

IX. Slicing Vegetable Marrows, Cucumbers, 

Eggs, etc. . . * . . . ... . , §1 

X. Cutting the Orange under the Naked Heel 51 . 

XL Cutting Pillows of Down, Silk Handker- 

• : °' F i 

chiefs, Ribbons, etc 52 i 

- 3 . ' * 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 

I. — INTRODUCTORY. 

Physical training has of late years come to be con- 
sidered/ and rightly ^so, as a necessary adjunct of the 
education of youth. Various are the means adopted, 
but one result only is obtained — namely, strength, and 
the right use of the limbs. Whether the means consist 
of running, walking, climbing, leaping, vaulting, skating, 
swimming, riding, dining, cricket, rowing, or the feats 

- pertaining to the gymnasium, the object is equally 
desirable and equally beneficial. But among the aids 
to physical education patronised by teachers in our 
higher scholastic establishments, the Mugdah, or Indian 

-club, is now admitted to be one of the most efhcient. 
By the instructions following, I hope to enable all my 
readers to practise for themselves, and so obtain the 
necessary training. It is hardly necessary to say much 
in favour of bodily strength ; for all writers, thinkers, 
and teachers admit that the cultivation of body and 
mind should proceed simultaneously. You know the 
old Latin proverb — Mens sana in corpore sano ; and few 
will dispute that to possess a sound mind in a sound 
body is the greatest of blessings. 

II.— PRELIMINARY TRAINING. 

It is a matter of common remark that many per- 
sons have, by too precipitately "going in" for hard 

; exercise, seriously injured their health for life. Why is 
this ? The fault, assuredly, is not that of the particular 

j exercise in question, but their own. 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



I will explain my meaning more fully. Take the case 
of a somewhat delicate boy, of sedentary habits, we will 
suppose, who, hearing his friend talking of A's power 
of swinging from a bar in a gymnasium, or B's great- 
development of muscle, as evinced by his ability to go 
through the Indian club exercise with the heavier clubs, 
resolves to emulate such feats forthwith. He goes at 
once to a gymnasium, and, supposing the gymnastic in- 
structor is injudicious enough to suffer it, injures his 
constitution by attempting too much before, by a mild 
course of previous training, he is able to accomplish 
even a very little properly. The consequence is, his 
end is not answered ; and his relatives say, ki Oh, this 
comes of these violent exercises ! " Is this fair ! As- 
suredly it is not. 

No boy, save in some exceptional cases of great con- 
stitutional powers, should attempt gymnastic feats 
otherwise than by degrees ; and before commencing the 
exercise of the Indian clubs it is well for amateurs to 
improve their general health, if at all delicate, and 
harden their muscles, by walking, running, leaping, 
swinging by the arms, and lifting moderate weights. 
And perhaps, of all exercises fitted for the aloresaifl 
preliminary training, none is better than walking ; but 
even that must not be abused by excess. 

As I am not here writing for professionals, but for 
amateurs, I will content myself by laying down a few 
simple rules, by following which you will soon find 
yourself in a fit condition to become an adept at the 
Mugdah, or Indian club, I will suppose that you are 
not entirely master of your own time, but that -at any 
rate you can go to bed and get up early, without which 
any really beneficial training is almost next to an im- 
possibility. I will suppose, in summer you can get up, 
say at six o'clock ; have your cold bath, or, if you have 
not that convenience, a good sluice all over with cold 
water, and a hard rub down with a rough towel till joui 
flesh is in a glow, will do nearly as well ; and then have 
your breakfast, which should consist, if you take meat, 
of good plain roast or boiled beef or mutton, rather 
under-done, stale bread, and a cup of tea. An egg beat 
up in tea is a very good thing. As soon as you have 



2 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



given this time to digest, start for a walk, going at a pace 
which is easy to you. Your speed you can increase day 
after day as your condition improves, till you will find, 
in a very few weeks, that walking five miles in one hour 
is almost as easy as walking four was previously. I am 
not teaching you how to become a pedestrian, remember ; 
that is no part of my province now. All I want to im- 
press upon you is, that ere you enter upon your Indian 
club exercise it is well you should get into fair health, 
and walking will do this for you as soon as anything I 
know, as a preliminary. 

As to diet, your own common sense, and not your in- 
clination, must be consulted. If you cannot make up 
your mind to deny yourself certain articles of food 
which experience tells you are unwholesome, you will 
never become a proficient in the use of the Mugdah. If 
you can, you will soon reap the inestimable benefits to 
your mental as well as bodily health to be derived 
from it. Avoid stimulating liquors, or use them very 
sparingly, giving sound malt liquor the preference. Too 
much liquid of any kind is bad for wind and muscle 
alike. Against tobacco I need hardly warn any sensible 
young aspirant to gymnastic honours. No man ever 
trained on it yet to profit. As far as you are able, avoid 
spices, salt provisions, and seasonings. 

Be regular, in your preliminary training, as to the 
time at which you take and the duration of your 
exercise. If at the commencement of your walking you 
find yourself puffy, with too much flabby flesh about 
you, do not be in too great a hurry violently to get it 
off by purgatives and hard exercise on a sudden. The 
former will, of course, in some cases be, in moderation, 
of service ; and remember this especially, it is always a 
bad thing to take exercise while medicine is in operation. 
In fact, the less physic taken the better. A little Epsom 
salts, a couple of antibilious pills, a dose of castor-oil or 
of salts and senna, will probably be most suitable. 

Do not take your walk before breakfast if you find 
yourself in any way faint on going out with an empty 
stomach ; and if you would soon get into condition, 
always after the exercise taken has brought out perspira- 
tion on your skin, strip and give yourself a good dry 



3 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



■ j?uh i the -pleadable sensation produced thereby will of 
itself alone reward you for the "trouble. 
}j4&& to^the time of feeding,. the earlier you have your 
f /breakfast the better, and if you can dine at mid-day do 
sp,;lif you cannot,, take a biscuit for lunch and a glass 
o,f good sound ale, and no more. Avoid anything ap- 
i proaching to : a heavy supper, as carefully as you would 
I .taking ha>rd exercise^ on a full stomach. In the one 
i case you would; get ,..the "nightmare, in the other you 

would injure your wjLiid, and in both your digestion. 
: Attend particularly to trie state of your stomach, and 
accommodate your diet to its circumstances. If you find 
a small portion of fresh vegetables, such as greens, or 
mealy potatoes, suit you, do not deny yourself these. 
If you find when taking really good exercise that an 
extra pint of ale in the course of the day really improves 
your --condition, by all means have it. You want to get 
into good health, not to make a martyr of yourself. 

If you feel worried in your mind, exercise will nearly 
always be found, if not entirely to remove, at any rate 
to ameliorate your anxiety. Many a man, who otherwise 
would have sat at home nursing his grief unavailingly, 
has by a little brisk exercise increased the flow of his 
-spirits, .unproved .the action of his liver — and all people 
with sluggish livers are prone to melancholy— and caused 
himself to take a more hopeful and wholesome view of 
-his circumstances. 
1 j What can be effected by systematic training is sonie- 
' thing wonderful. Boys and men, at first puny, delicate, 
wheezy, pale-faced, feeble mortals enough, have become, 
' merely by attending to a few simple rules, strong, hale, 
: .active, ruddy, and in full enjoyment of all their faculties, 
half of which, till they discovered that exercise was to 
them the one thing needful, and as such their best 
physician, were completely lost to them. I will venture 
unhesitatingly to say, that hundreds of young people 
who in great cities annually die of consumption, could 
they only have been persuaded to put themselves 
through a little mild training, and then through a course 
of Indian club exercises, would have lived to thank him 
who gave them the advice. 

To persons of sedentary occupations which necessarily 



4 



INDIAN CLUB- EXERCISES. * 



tend to contract the chest, and so to lessen the requisite 
quantity oi air they should get into their lungs, the use 
of the clubs Is invaluable. The clubs can be made at 
a very low figure, and the doctor's bill will be de- 
creased, a 

Having exercised the muscles -of, your legs by walking, 
running, &c, lifting lightweights is a^good ^beginning 
ere you u go in " for a course of clubs. Then comeis-the 
swing, which you can easily rig- for yourself/ This 
you will find; opens the chest, and, as yoUr-can suit the 
work taken with it to- your strength, there is no risk of 
doing yourself harm thereby. 

I recommend these things for two reasons : firstly, 
because, of, course, J know that proficiency with the clubs 
will more readily be obtained by a person who by walk- 
ing, swinging, lifting light weights, -&c, has got himself 
into fit condition to do really good work with them — and 
there is a right way and a. wrong way of setting to work 
with the Mugdah as with everything else ; and, secondly, 
because 1 do not wish anybody who, neglecting my 
foregone advice, takes up the clubs, uses them clumsily, 
tires his arms, back, and loins uselessly, and when he 
puts them down finds himself no better, but, on the 
contrary, rather the worse for his trouble, to run away 
with the impression that -the Mugdah is only fit for 
professionals, and better avoided by all who do not want 
stiff, or possioiy strained .muscles. 

It is but common sense that if a. person who, after 
sitting all day at a desk, or dissipating half his night in 
bad atmospheres and bad. company, adopts any course of 
gymnastics without the least attention to previous pre- 
paration, he will suffer for it. If the heart, through any 
unwholesome mode ■ of : life, is suddenly shocked into a 
more violent action than its valves .can bear, the con- 
sequences are obvious. - It is. like -overwinding a watch, 
or overloading a gun that is made of steel of instifhcient 
temper to bear the extra strain upon it. 

No person, be, he- man or- boy, if he has "neglected 
proper attention to regularity of diet^ sleep,, and exercise, 
can hope to become a new creature all at once. But 
perseverance will remedy most evils of this kind, if not 
of too old a growth. A month's quiet preliminary 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



training, if a man have no organic disease about him, 
will work marvels. The eye that before was dull, 
heavy, bilious-looking, weak, and watery, will soon grow 
bright and clear with the keen, confident glance of 
health. The complexion that before was muddy, spotty, 
unhealthily red, or pale, or sallow, will assume the clear, 
fair hue of good condition. The skin will improve in 
like manner ; the quickness with which perspiration 
dries on rubbing with towels after exercise is a good test 
of such improvement. The muscles that before were 
mere flabby, useless sinews, miserably shrunken from 
nature's originally fair proportions, will enlarge per- 
ceptibly day by day, and the man or boy who but a 
short while ago slouched along almost as though the 
least exertion were a dreary trouble to him, will find 
his chest broader, his respiration more free, his legs, 
arms, back, and loins stronger, and the mere feeling that 
he is alive and well, strong and hearty, of itself will be 
a pleasure such as none but those who have experienced 
it ever knew. 

Speaking in this sense of the advantages derivable 
from the use of a swing for the arms, an eminent medical 
man thus writes : — 

"I wish to say a few words to whom it may concern, 
on the use of the swing, as a preventive and cure of 
consumption. I mean the suspending of the body by 
the hands, by means of a rope or chain fastened to a 
beam at one end, and at the other a stick three feet long, 
convenient to grasp with the hands. The rope should 
be fastened to the centre of the stick, which should hang 
six or eight inches above the head. 

" Let a person grasp this stick with the hands about 
two feet and a half apart, and swing very moderately at 
first, and gradually increase as the muscles gain strength 
from the exercise, until it may be freely used three or 
four times a day. 

"The connection of the arms with the body (with the 
exception of the clavicle with the shoulder-blade and 
sternum or breast-bone) being a muscular attachment to 
the ribs, the effect of this exercise is to elevate the ribs, 
and enlarge the chest ; and, as nature allows no vacuum, 
the lungs expand to fill up the cavity, increasing the 



6 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



volume of air — the natural purifier of the blood — and 
preventing the deposit of tuberculous matter. I have 
prescribed the above for all cases of bleeding from the 
lungs and threatened consumption for thirty-five years, 
and have been able to increase the measure of the chest 
from two to four inches within a few months, and always 
with good results. 

" Let those who love life cultivate A well-formed, capa- 
cious chest. The student, the merchant, the sedentary, 
the young of both sexes — ay, all — should have a swing 
upon w T hich to stretch themselves daily, and I am morally 
certain that if this were to be practised by the rising 
generation, in a dress allowing a free and full develop - 
I ment of the body, thousands, yea, tens of thousands, 
would be saved from consumption." 

If I were asked to answer in what in my humble 
opinion lies the true secret of health, I should frankly 
answer in two words — exercise and moderation. 

As I do not suppose many of my readers are likely to 
become professional athletes capable of extraordinary 
feats to set London staring, after the manner of Leotard, 
Olmar, &c, I have not thought it necessary to go into 
more lengthy details on training. 

It is not necessary for a young man or boy to be 
able to wield dumb-bells of seventy pounds weight 
each, any more than it is necessary for him to be able 
to walk twenty-one miles under three hours, clear 
twenty-two feet at a running jump, or run a mile on the 
flat in four minutes and a half. 

But it is well that every Englishman, not afflicted 
with any unavoidable infirmity, should have the nse of 
the muscles God gave him ; and to this end I know of 
few if any better means than the adoption of my system 
hereafter laid clown for you. 

I may, moreover, remark with reference to pedestri- 
anism, that while walking and running undoubtedly 
strengthen the lower limbs, the clubs not only do this, 
but do more : they strengthen the legs partially, the 
loins greatly, and the muscles of the arms and back 
enormously. 

Again, to look at the matter in a mere business point 
of view, it is not every one who can afford to give as 



7 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



muck time to pedestrianism, ;as : a general practice, as 
may be required. A long walk takes persons engaged in ' 
business too far away from their shops or offices. But 
this will not apply ixTthe clubs ; as almost any man 
who can afford the first outlay can find time every day 
at some hour to- take a littlV^vholesome' exercise with' 4 
them. If he does so, he will also find, after a while, 
that when he goes to his work again he is twice as good 
a man as he was before. — r v ' : 

At the risk of being accused of making the observa*- 
v tion at a somewhat awkward place in this little treatise, 
I will here mention that a well-fitting belt round the 
waist will be found of great assistance in all athletic 
sports. But you niust not wear too wide a belt, or gird 
it too tightly, or the chest and abdomen will be unduly 
compressed. It is hardly necessary to- say that the 
figure attained by the acrobat is nbt desirable for a gen- 
tleman. The belt should be placed on th6 loins so. as toT 
support the trousers without braces. Ah ordinary India- 
web belt, with' straps aiid buckles, is sufficient for the 
Indian club and most other athletic exercises. 

We see that in regular training 'the /Health of the 
stomach, the limbs, and the skiii f are all attended to. 
Two or three months of training may be followed by 
such sports as ' cricket, golf, quoits, or bowls ; the occa- 
sional indulgence in ; which, combined with regular 
walking' and rurining,' will . be found sufficient to keep 
the b6dy in good condition— the muscles hard and firm, 
the. limbs supple, the chest expanded, the head erect, 
and all the faculties clear and well balanced. The food 

' here recommended, and the regimen proposed, are, in 
fact, the * grand secrets of the training system. Avoid 
drugs, than which nothing is so injurioiis to the really 
healthy man while undergoing a regular system of 
training. I; 'for one, do .'not believe in the efficacy of 
Epsom salts 'and other drastics,- though 7 I- know that 

, they are largely used by jockeys and some pedestrians, 
wnolfincl it necessary to rediice themselves to a given 

j weight iri a short space of time/ All the -efforts of the 
trainer should be directed tq the reduction of fat and 
the hardening of the muscular fibre ; but for gentle- 
men there is no necessity for the use' of blankets and 



INDIAN CIUB EXERCISES. 



— I 



the coriander-seed liquor. All that is really required is 
exercise systematically pursued. After a few weeks it 
will be found that the skin becomes soft, smooth, and 
elastic, the flesh firm, and the spirits light and 
cheerful. 



III.— THE OLD AND NEW SYSTEM OF TRAINING. 

In the " good old times" — which often strike me as 
having been very bad old times — when a man had to 
walk a match, or run a race, his trainers used to physic 
and sweat him, till the poor fellow was worn to mere 
skin and bone, and had no elasticity of limb or spirit 
left in him. This plan was all very well, perhaps, for 
attaining endurance, though even this is an open 
question ; but it was destructive to health in the long 
run, and certainly is not the sort of thing to recommend 
to parents and guardians. The new system has, how- 
ever, almost abolished physic. Training, considered as 
a means of getting the body into a condition to perform 
' certain feats of activity and strength, somewhat out of 
the usual and ordinary course of most men's lives, is 
now-a-days a much more simple and sensible matter. 

The late Charles Westall, in his little book on Train- 
ing, gives some excellent hints on this -subject, which 
I venture to reproduce for the benefit of my young 
readers. His notions, as will be seen, are much the 
same as my own ; and, although I am not addressing 
my friends as professional walking men infuturo, I am 
glad he and I agree in many things, and I may here 
observe that, though it will not be necessary for them 
to go through as much work as he suggests, they never- 
theless will do well to bear his admonitions in mind. 

" The first and primary aim ought to be the endea* 
vour to prepare the body by gentle purgative medicines, 
so as to cleanse the stomach, bowels, and tissues from 
all extraneous matter, which might interfere with the 
ability to undergo the extra exertion it is his lot to take 
before a man is in a fit state to struggle through any 
arduous task with a good chance of success. 

" The number of purgatives recommended by trainers 



B 



9 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



are legion, lout the simpler will always "be found the 
best. The writer has, in all instances, found that a 
couple of antibilious pills at night, and salts and senna 
in the morning, answer every purpose. It is reasonable, 
however, to suppose that any one who has arrived at 
sufficient years to compete in a pedestrian contest has 
found out the proper remedies for his particular internal 
complaints. The internal portion of the man's frame, 
therefore, being in a healthy condition, the time has 
arrived when the athlete may commence his training in 
proper earnest, and if he be bulky, or of obese habit, he 
has no light task before him. If he has to train for a 
long-distance match, the preparation will be almost 
similar, whether for walking or running. 

" The work to be d< ne depends very much on the 
time of the year. In the summer the man should rise 
at six in the morning, so that after having taken his 
bath, either shower or otherwise, there will have been 
time for a slow walk of an hour's duration to have been 
taken before sitting down to breakfast, that is, if the 
weather be favourable ; but if otherwise, a bout at the 
dumb bells, or half an hour with a skipping-rope, 
swinging trapeze, or vaulting-bar, will be found not 
unfavourable as a good substitute. Many men can do 
without having any nourishment whatever before going 
for the morning's walk, but these are exceptions to the 
rule. Most men who take the hour's walk before 
breaking the fast feel faint and weak in their work after 
breakfast, at the commencement of their training, and 
the blame is laid on the matutinal walk ; when, if a 
new-laid egg had been beaten in a good cup of tea, and 
taken previous to going out, no symptom of faintness 
would have been felt, although it is probable some 
fatigue would be felt from the unwonted exertion. 
The walk should be taken at such a pace that the 
skin does not become moist, but has a good healthy 
j glow on the surface, and the man should be ready for 
his breakfast at eight o'clock. The breakfast should 
consist of a good mutton-chop or cutlet, from half a 
pound upwards, according to appetite, with dry bread at 
least two days old, or dry toast, washed down with a cup 
or two of good tea (about half a pint in all), but with 



10 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



little and, if possible, no milk. Some give a glass of 
old ale with, breakfast, but it is at this time of the 
day too early to introduce any such stimulant. After 
having rested for a sufficient time to allow the process 
of digestion to take place, the time will have arrived 
for the work to commence which is to reduce the 
mass of fat which at this time impedes every hurried 
action of the muscle and blood-vessel. This portion 
of the training requires great care and thought, for 
the weight of clothing and distance accomplished at 
speed must be commensurate with the strength of the 
pedestrian. At the commencement of the work a sharp 
walk of a couple of miles out, and a smart run home, are 
as much as will be advisable to risk. On the safe 
arrival at the training quarters, no time must be lost in 
getting rid of the wet clothes, when a thorough rubbing 
should be administered, after which the man should lie 
between blankets, and be rubbed from time to time, 
until the skin is thoroughly dry. Most of the leading 
pedestrians of the day, when they come in from their 
run, divest themselves of their reeking flannels, and 
jump under a cold shower-bath, on emerging from 
which they are thoroughly rubbed down, which at once 
destroys all feeling of fatigue or lassitude. In a few 
days the pedestrian will be able to increase his distance 
to nearly double the first few attempts, at a greater 
pace, and with greater ease to himself. After again 
dressing, he must always be on the move, and as the 
feeling of fatigue passes away he will be anxiously 
waiting for the summons to dinner, which should come 
about one o'clock, and which should consist of a good 
plain joint of the best beef or mutton, with stale bread 
or toast, accompanied by a draught of good sound old 
ale, the quantity of which, however, must be regulated 
by the j udgment of the trainer. It has been found of 
late years that extreme strictness in all cases should be 
\ put on one side, and a small portion of fresh vegetables 
allowed, such as fresh greens or potatoes ; and, in some 
instances, good light puddings have been found neces- 
sary to be added to the bill of fare, when the appetite, 
from severe work or other causes, has been rendered 
more delicate than usual. 



I 



n 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



"The continued use of meat and bread, unless the 
man lias a wonderful appetite and constitution, will 
once, if not more, in almost every man's training, pall 
upon his palate, when the trainer should at once try the 
effect of poultry or game, if possible ; but, at any rate, 
not give the trained man an opportunity of strengthen- 
ing his partial dislike to his previous fare. In cases 
like these, the only wrong thing is to persevere in the 
previous diet ; for if a man cannot tackle his food with 
a healthy appetite, how is it possible that he can take 
his proper share of work ? The quantity of ale should 
not exceed a pint, unless there has been a greater 
amount of work accomplished in the morning than 
usual, when a small drink of old ale at noon would be 
far from wrong policy, and a good refresher to the 
imbiber. Wine in small quantities is sometimes bene- 
ficial, but should not be taken at all when malt liquors 
are the standard drink. If it is possible to do without 
wine, the better. The chief thing in diet is to find out 
what best agrees with the man, and which in most 
instances will be found to be what he has been most 
used to previously. 

66 After a thorough rest of an hour's duration, the 
pedestrian should stroll about for an hour or two, and 
then, divesting himself of his ordinary attire, don his 
racing gear and shoes, and practise his distance, or, at 
any rate, some portion of the same, whether he is train- 
ing for running or walking. This portion of the day's 
work must be regulated by the judgment and advice 
of the trainer, who, of course, is the holder of the 
watch by which the athlete is timed, and is the only 
person capable of knowing how far towards success the 
trained man has progressed in his preparation. It is 
impossible for the pedestrian to judge by his own feel- 
ings how he is performing or has performed, in conse- 
quence, perhaps, of being stiff from his work, weak from 
reducing, or jaded from want of rest. The trainer 
should encourage his man when going through his trial 
successfully, but stop him when making bad time, if he 
is assured the tried man is using the proper exertion. 
The rule of always stopping him when the pedestrian 
has all his power out, and yet the watch shows the pace 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



is not 1 up to the mark,' should never be broken, for 
the man who so struggles, however game he may be, or 
however well in health, takes more of the steel out of 
himself than days of careful nursing will restore. If 
stopped in time, another trial may be attempted on the 
following day, or, at any rate, the next but one.' 1 

Combined with walking, a bout with the Dumb-bells, 
Indian clubs, or the Eanelagh, will be highly useful. 

And now let me say a word or two about the latter 
instrument. 

The importance and usefulness of gymnastic exercises 
as an adjunct to training, and as a means for preserving 
health and vigour, cannot be too highly estimated or too 
frequently enforced. But, as every one has not ready 
access to a g^mmasium, some system that is within the 
reach of all, and that may be practised at home in all 
seasons, is very desirable. Such a system is presented 
by Mr. Frank Milnes, of Gloucester, w T ho, in his Eanelagh 
or Dotosthene, presents us with a pocket gymnasium 
and training apparatus of great value and portability. 

This mechanical invention consists of a new adaptation 
of vulcanized india-rubber, by the elasticity and resist- 
ing power of which the necessary exercise of the muscles 
is obtained. The construction of the instrument is very 
simple. Several cylindrical bands of india-rubber (four, 
five, or six, as the case may be), of equal length, are 
fastened together at the ends to strong steel rings. One 
of the rings is joined by a spring snap to a wheel pulley, 
on the bevilled ed^e of which a finely twitted rope plays, 
and at each end ol this rope is a stirrup handle, with a 
wooden roller moving freely at the flat end for the 
grasp. This is the whole machine. When not in use 
it may be carried in the pocket or laid in a drawer, 
When you are about to use it, you hang the ring at the 
top end upon a strong hook, driven in the wall or into 
the lintel of a door, about six or seven feet from the 
ground. You then take the handles, and standing with 
your back to the apparatus, with your front toe about 
seven feet from the vertical line of the hook, so that the 
hands are about level with the shoulders, you must now 
press the chest forward, so as to cause a slight strain on 
the india-rubber bands, at the same time maintaining 



i3 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



the equipoise of the body. Turn the feet a little out- 
wards, and project the body forward, at the same time 
advancing the left foot. The hands are then to be ex- 
tended straight forward from the shoulders. Then open 
them slowly, and let them go backward with the im- 
pulse of the elastic bands, till you bring yourself into 
the first position. Eepeat this exercise for a few 
minutes, and you will find that your chest is opened 
and your respiration easy. 

It will be seen that the use of this instrument gives 
freedom to the muscles of the chest, arms, loins, and 
legs, and, in fact, brings all the muscles and tendons of 
the body into free action. Of course, the exercise may 
be varied considerably. There is the rowing action, 
the swimming action, the fencing action, the pugilistic 
action, the archery action, and a vast number of other 
motions, all of which have a direct tendency to give free- 
dom to the flexors, extensors, pectorals, and shoulders. 
But I must explain that all jerking motions are to be 
carefully avoided, as they have a tendency to extend 
the muscles unduly, and not unfrequently lay the 
foundation of a permanent injury to the system. But 
from this action the Ranelagh, properly used, is entirely 
free. A few minutes' practice daily will be found 
equally beneficial to the strong man, the delicate 
woman, or the young child, who may equally enjoy 
the exercise afforded by this novel and valuable instru- 
ment without experiencing any sense of fatigue ; and, 
as a relief from lassitude, we know of no contrivance 
so easily adopted, so entirely free from all objection, 
and so well adapted to the purposes for which it is 
designed. 

It is almost impossible to over-estimate the great 
service rendered to training by the use of the Indian 
clubs. In fact, in the entire round of gymnastic exer- 
cises, no such efficient instruments as these have been 
discovered for bringing into action the muscles and 
tendons of the arms and trunk, which are generally less 
used than those of the legs. In the army the Indian 
clubs are constantly in requisition, and no gymnasium 
can be considered complete without them. 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



1 



XV. — THE CLUES. 

As I have already said, Indian clubs are not easily 
made by an ordinary turner, in consequence of the great 
nicety required in balancing, and apportioning the 
weight in the right direction. They are constructed 
of various woods, and cost about a guinea a pair for 
the smaller sizes, gradually increasing in price according 
to weight. 

If you carefully follow my directions, you will soon 
be in a condition to undertake the exercise of the trapeze 
and other athletic amusements. None of these are dan- 
gerous or harmful, if kept within proper limits ; for it 
must be remembered that their omce is the right order- 
ing and education of the limbs and muscles, and not the 
exhibition of startling feats or wonderful performances. 
These may well be left to the Leotards, Olmars, and 
other public exhibitors of gymnastic surprises. 



V.— THE FIEST EXEECISES. 

It has been said that practice with the dumb-bells, 
the foils, and cricket- bat — in addition to which, Cobbett, 
it will be remembered, said a good word for the spade — 
brings all the muscles of the body into action, but, as 
instruments for exercising the limbs, they are vastly 
inferior to the Mugdah, or Indian club. Contributing 
to the full development of every muscle of the trunk, 
arms, and legs, they are more graceful and showy in 
practice than dumb-bells. I must, however, warn you 
not to begin with too heavy a club ; but rather to 
practise with a light instrument, and go gradually on 
till you can take the regular eleven-pounder club, or 
even the heavy ones, such as are used by the regular 
professors of the art. Milo of Crotona commenced, it 
is said, by carrying a calf, till at last, by practice and 
perseverance, he could run away with a bull on his 
shoulders. But you recollect that even he suffered by 
trying to do too much ; for when — as Ovid tells us — he 



i5 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



was an old man, tie endeavoured to rend an oak, and 
caught his fingers in the cleft of the tree ; and, being 
unable to extricate them, was devoured by wild beasts ! 

Ease and grace must not be neglected ; for without 
these the club exercises win little applause from 
spectators. Even with inferior strength, he who studies 
posture, upright carriage, and elegance of action will 
command admiration. In swinging the clubs (which 
should be carefully selected so as to suit the strength of 
the pupil — neither too light nor too heavy) let them 
make a full free circuit, without j erk or loss of balance. 
The greatest difficulty I have experienced with pupils 
has been to break them of that ugly jerk which 
amateurs are so apt to contract in their first exercises 
with the clubs. 

Exercise 1. — Advance ; bring your heels well together, 
and place your clubs on the floor. It should be ex- 



plained that each club has a flat bottom, and rests on 
the ground without liability to topple over. Stand per- 
fectly erect, with your chest well forward, and over your 
toes ; your arms straight, with hands to the front and 
your little fingers close to your sides. Retire one step, 




Fig. 4. — Exercise 1. 



16 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



left foot first ; and then again advance oetween the 
club?, right foot first, bringing the left forward, with 
heels together as before. 

This method of advancing to the clubs is common to 
all the exercises. It has this advantage — that it steadies 
the body, and prevents that swaying about on taking 
up the clubs, to which all novices are liable. Moreover, 
being regular, it is also graceful. 

Now lay hold of the clubs firmly by the handles, with 
the palms of the hands towards your body ; raise them, 
and cross them over your head, bringing your arms in a 
perpendicular line with your body, as in the illustration. 
Then let them slowly drop in a horizontal line with 
your shoulders, gradually sinking them till your little 
fingers touch the seam of your trousers, with the palms 
well to the front. Very good. Xow drop the clubs, 
and stand erect as before, and retire a step, ready for 
the next exercise. You must not imagine, however, 
that you have learned all you have to learn, by merely 
reading these instructions. Each step in the first ex- 
ercise must be conquered before you commence the 
second ; for upon your thorough comprehension of the 
preliminary proceedings, and your capability of per- 
forming this initiative exercise, depends much of your 
subsequent success. As the first blow often decides the 
fray, so the first exercise in Mugdah very commonly 
determines the distinction between a graceful performer 
and a bungler. Recollect that the method of taking up 
the club is always with the palms inwards. If you 
attempt any of the preliminary exercises with the 
palms turned from your body, you will assuredly fail 
to accomplish them with ease and dexterity — if, indeed, 
you can perform certain of them at all. All the move- 
ments must be performed slowly and regularly, without 
hurry or undue exertion. The form of the club, with 
the weight farthest from the hand, causes it to swing in 
a circular direction when raised above the hip. This 
tendency opens the chest, and brings all the muscles of 
the arms and the upper part of the body into free 
action, while the trunk and legs partake of the general 
movement without much physical exertion. But of 
course I do not mean that you are to go tamely to work. 



17 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



A certain amount of real exertion is necessary ; and, as 
you advance in the different exercises, you will find 
many opportunities for throwing in plenty of vigour 
and dexterity. Always stand firmly, with the weight 
of the body resting rather on the ball of the foot than 
on the heel. The muscles of the legs will thus acquire 
the rigidity necessary to give a counterpoise to the 
weights carried by the hands in any direction. 

Exercise 2. — Advance as before, with one foot between 
the clubs. Then lay hold of them, and bring them back 
to the rear foot. 

Raise the clubs perpendicularly, with your hands 
close to your sides, and in a line with your elbows. Ai 
the moment you raise them, advance with the rear foot 
to within half a yard of the other, with the heels in a 
line. You will thus have a firm broad foundation, the 
feet well apart, and the body having a tendency to 
incline very slightly forward. Now throw one club 
round your head, by bringing it over the other club, 
sinking your hand well down the back of your neck ; 




Fig. 5. — Exercises 2 and 3. 

and, at the same time bringing your elbow well u] i : 
the side of your head, you make a circle, returning the 



iS 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



club to yonr side, whence it started ; and vice versa with, 
the other club, and you again bring the clubs into an 
upright position. Bear in mind that you commence 
making a circle the moment you start the club or clubs, 
as in some exercises you will have to swing two clubs 
at one and the same moment. 

A few minutes' rest, and then commence « 
Exercise 3. — Advance as before. "Raise the clubs into 
position as in fig. 2. Bend the wrists outwards, then 
throw the club round the head in a reverse way to 
that shown in Exercise 2. Bring your right wrist well 
round the left ear, extending the left-hand club hori- 
zontally, and vice versa. This exercise developes the 
biceps, and acts immensely on the pectoral muscles. 

Exercise 4 is also shown in the engraving which forms 
the frontispiece. Advance as before, and take both clubs 




Fig. 6. — Exercise 4. 



and raise them perpendicularly ; then throw the two 
alternately from right to left and from left to right, at 
the same time carrying the right hand round the left 
ear, and the left hand round the right ear ; both elbows 
well up to the head, sinking the hands at the back of 
the neck. Apparently, both hands pass round in pre- 



19 



IXDIAX CLUB EXERCISES. 



cisely the same circles : but this is not actually the 
case, for the one hand makes a smaller circle than the 
other ; and so on. alternately. You will comprehend 
this immediately you begin to practise. This ex^: 
operates equally on the muscles on either side of the 
body, every one of which is brought into free and 
powerful action. 

Exercisb 5. — Begin from the first position, the body 
being turned laterally cither to the right or the left. 
Raise the clubs perpendicularly as before : then, with 
well-extended arms, pass the clubs round the head in 
circles — the one club making a smaller circle than the 



other — alternately with right and left hand. The club 
in the right hand is thrown upwards to the lei:, at the 
full extent of the arm. and makes a large circle in fr nr. 
and a smaller curve behind ; while the club in the left 
hand makes, at the same time, a smaller circle in front 
of the head, behind the shoulders : until, crossing each 
other before the head, rather on the right side, their 
movements are entirely reversed— the club in the right 
hand performing the small circle round the head, while 
that in the left performs the larger one. These rnove- 




Fig. 7. — ExERcrsE 5. 



20 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



ments you can alternate so long as the exercise is 
continued. 

Exercise 6 . — Standing in first position, take the clubs, 
bring both arms well round in front of the body, and 
swing them round the back of the head, sinking both 
hands, and throwing the clubs freely in circles ; then 
bring the clubs to the front, and, holding them perpen- 
dicularly, reverse the circle. 

Each of these movements should be practised sepa- 
rately, but not sufficiently long to cause any great 
fatigue, or you will defeat the end in view, which is to 
exercise, not to tire the muscles. 




Fig. 8. — Exercise 6. 



The great thing is to attain ease and confidence in 
swinging the clubs — elegance and grace will follow, or 
rather accompany, the exercises ; for it is almost im- 
possible to throw the Mugdah round and round the head 
in an awkward or ungraceful manner. Stand firmly, 
with your feet well apart, and your body upright ; but, 
at the same time, hold your head easily and allow the 
muscles of the arms and chest to have full play. These 
directions, indeed, apply to all kinds of athletic sports, 



21 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



but especially are they important to observe with the 
Mugdah. Walking, running, leaping, pole-balancing, 
rowing, skating, swimming, and climbing are all good 
in their way as gymnastic exercises ; and for their full, 
free, and healthful enjoyment, a regular process of train- 
ing is absolutely necessary. Strength alone will ac- 
i complish little, unless it be so husbanded and brought 
! into subjection as to be capable of being employed 
advantageously, and put forth at the moment when it is 
most required. Now, it is well known that the body 
and limbs may be so trained as to be made subservient 
to the will, and capable of enduring an almost incredible 
amount of exertion without afterwards experiencing any 
very sensible degree of lassitude or fatigue, Thus, with 
professional runners, athletes, and gymnasts, the con- 
stitution is hardened to feats of endurance and strength 
which, to the untrained man, although in perfect health 
and vigour, are simply impossible. The instruments 
formerly employed in nearly all stages of training were 
the dumb-bells ; but the Indian clubs are best, as they 
give more amusement during the exercise. This fact is 
acknowledged by all the noblemen and gentlemen I 
have had the honour of teaching, and their use in the 
army is evidence of their superiority. Do not imagine, 
however, that the Indian clubs are mere toys, or that 
they can be taken up and put down as you would take 
up a cricket-bat. What is necessary is, that you should 
j accustom yourselves to their use, and thus \ ou will 
\ acquire real strength, and power to join with pleasure 
| in any of the field sports in which English boys delight, 
j and which are the great characteristics of Englishmen 
i all over the world. 



VI. — FUBTKEB INSTRUCTIONS IN THE USE OF THE 
INDIAN CLUBS 

We have now crossed the pons asinorum, and the 
exercises that follow may be looked upon as the natural 
and regular result of a familiarity with the Indian clubs. 

Exercise 7. — Stand in the first position and take the 
clubs in the usual way, palms inward. Turn the body 



22 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 



a little to the right, the feet remaining firm on the 
ground, about a foot apart, so as to form a good firm 
base. Swing the clubs upward, as in the first figure (1), 
and make, at the extent of the arms, and in front ot the 
body, the circle in the direction shown, downward by 
the feet and upward oyer the head, so that the clubs fall 
in a somewhat lesser circle towards the side from which 
they started (2). The centre figure in the illustration 
shows you the position of the body and arms during 
the first part of this exercise, and the third figure repre- 
sents the reverse of the position shown in Exercise 4. 
Tlie Indians are particularly clever in this exercise, 
whereby the clubs are thrown in circles round the head 
and shoulders ; the one formiug rather a smaller circle 
than the other, till the position at starting is again 
attained. Practise this, first on one side and then 
on the . other alternately, till you have thoroughly 
acquired the necessary ease and ability in handling the 
Mugdah 

Exercise 8. — This is a still further modification of the 
preceding exercises, and requires to be performed with 
steady exactness. Bring the clubs into the first position, 
and incline the body slightly to either one or the other 
side. Then turn the wrists so as to bring the clubs into 
the position shown in the first figure, and swing the 
clubs in a circle three or four times at the extent of the 
outstretched arms, in the direction shown by the lines in 
the engraving. When completing the final circle, the 
arms are to be thrown higher up, so as to describe a 
larger sweep, the body being turned a little to the left. 
But, instead of forming the smaller curve, behind, as in 
the next exercise, both the clubs are thrown over the 
back, sinking the hands well down the back of the 
neck (2). From this position the clubs are to be pro- 
jected towards the front, .and so you may vary the 
exercise alternately on either side. Xow reverse the 
clubs, and let them drop in front as shown in the 
engraving (3). Swing them to and fro, right and left, 
upward, in front, and behind, till you have familiarized 
yourself with this kind of movement, and so on alter- 
nately. 



23 



IXDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 




24 



INDIAN CIUB EXERCISES. 



Exercise 9. — This is the most difficult, but at the same 
time most graceful, way of using the Mugdah. The 
Indians have a clever way of throwing the clubs from 
the hand and catching them as they descend ; but this 
manner of using them is rather fitted for a public dis- 
play of agility than useful as an athletic exercise. Of 
course, many modifications of the way in which the 
clubs are manipulated are introduced by various per- 
formers, but they all depend on a full and perfect 
acquaintance with the previous exercises. In the 
exercise now under consideration the hands are reversed, 
and the clubs at starting are held pendent in front, with 
the palms inward. The exercise consists principally in 
the describing of two circles obliquely round the head, 
one to the right, and the other to the left. A careful 
examination of the diagram will render this apparent. 
The club in the right hand must be swept upwards on 
the right side behind the head (2), and passing to the 
left, the front, the right, and behind, completes the 
circle. In the meantime, the club in the left hand is 
swung at the moment following the movement of the 
right hand, and describes the opposite circle (3). These 
movements are very exactly shown by the circles in the 
diagram. Continue this exercise alternately ; first right, 
then left, and so on at pleasure. 

Great muscular exertion is not necessary, but you will 
find that, as you proceed, you will be able to handle a 
heavier and longer club than was at first possible ; and 
your body and limbs cannot but attain a hardness, 
strength, and adaptability necessary for the complete 
enjoyment of the usual out-door sports. 

More exercises might be shown, but enough has been 
said to enable the amateur to develop all the muscular 
power of which he is capable, by the use of the Mugdah 
or Indian club. 



I 



26 



INDIAN CLUB EXERCISES. 




2 7 



DUMB-BELLS. 



I,— THE PROPER USE OF DUMB-BELLS. 

Dumb-bells are very good tilings for exercising the 
muscles of the arms and upper part of the body. Their 
general utility is undeniable, though, as I have already 
said, they are inferior to the Indian clubs in giving that 
full play to all the muscles of the body which active exer- 
cise requires. When particular muscles only are brought 
into play, the other muscles are weakened ; therefore it 
is important that any athletic exercise should bear 
equally on all parts of the body. It is well known that 
some of our best oarsmen, though there are many excep- 
tions to the rule, have great strength in their arms and 
chest, and but little power in their legs ; while, on the 
contrary, professional pedestrians as a rule acquire 
immense power in the lower limbs to the depreciation 
of the upper parts of the body. Various instances of 
great strength are recorded. Marshal Saxe is said to 
have been able to stop a chariot at full speed, by seizing 
and holding the wheel ; and it is recorded of Count 
Orloff, the Russian General, that he broke a horse-shoe 
between his fingers ; but these and similar extraordinary 
performances, it must be confessed, are not very well 
authenticated. Even if they were, they are very excep- 
tional instances. What we want is, to train the whole 
body to endurance ; and for this purpose all kinds of 
athletic exercises are to be commended. 

If the fatigue is too great after playing with the bells 
or the clubs, refrain for a while, and practise only with 
the lighter kinds, and be careful to use them without a 
jerk, as the chest is not so strong in youth as in the 
adult, and is very likely to be accidentally injured. The 



28 



i 



DUMB-BELLS. 



violent throwing out of the bells and clubs tends to 
weaken the joints of the arms ; it must never be for- 
gotten that the purpose of training is not to fatigue, but 
to strengthen. Health, vigour, and activity depend 
much more upon regular riving and careful diet than 
upon the occasional fatigue induced by violent exercise. 
Home training is therefore to be pursued in conjunction 
with that of the gymnasium ; and thus will you acquire 
that first of blessings — a blessing without which all plea- 
sures, mental and physical, are but feebly and insuffi- 
ciently enjoyed — a sound mind in a sound body. 

In order to give the proper degree of exercise to the 
various muscles in the trunk and limbs, it is necessary 
not only that you lift and throw about the dumb-bells, 
but that you should so lift and move them as to ac- 
complish the purpose sought by their use, in the most 
complete and advantageous manner. You will easily 
understand that a lad may be able to strike a ball to a 
considerable distance with a cricket-bat, and yet be no 
cricketer ; or that he may be able to throw in a fourteen- 
pound skittle ball, and still be a very indifferent player 
at ninepins. In like manner, dumb-bells may be used 
' in such a way as to afford little or no benefit to the user 

i in the strengthening and hardening of his muscles. 

ii There is much in the " way of doing things " — a "knack," 
1 as it is called. You know, for instance, how much more 
! easily and handily a carpenter uses his tools than an 
\ amateur. That arises not merely from long practice, 
; but also from the fact that he was properly taught in 
, the earliest days of his apprenticeship. I am aware that 
| it is very difficult to teach mechanical arts by mere 

I description, however plain and graphic ; but where 
actual practical teaching is not attainable, a hint, a 
caution, or a bit of sound advice, often proves of im- 
mense utility : in the use of the dumb-bells, then, I 
'< wish to do for my pupil.' what the master does for bis 
apprentice, just show him how to rightly handle the 
j , instrument with which he practises. 

Well, in the first place, as to the weight of the dumb- 
hells, I think the best plan is to begin with a light pair, 
say three pounds each ; and then, as you find yourself 
improving in strength, you can gradually increase their 



29 



DUMB -BELLS, 



size and weight to any extent you choose. You can 
then proceed till you can lift, hold out at arm's length, 
and throw backwards and forwards and round the head 
a pair of bells fourteen pounds' weight, or even more. 
I myself have been wont occasionally to perform with a 
pair of dumb-bells weighing seventy pounds each. This 
is, however, rather a feat of strength than of utility. It 
is not necessary that gentlemen should attempt these 
extreme tours deforce. 

Next as to position ; stand firmly, with the chest well 
out, the head erect, the feet apart, and endeavour to do 
all the exercises in as graceful a manner as possible. 
There is much in this matter of grace. The purpose of 
all physical education is to teach us how we may employ 
our limbs in the best and most effective manner ; and I 
am sorry to say that in the majority of the middle-class 
schools mental and bodily training are not, as they should 
be, made to go hand in hand. Again, in training, as in 
food for infants, " little and often " should be the rule. 
Never persevere in any bodily exercise till you are 
thoroughly exhausted; if you do, you defeat the object 
of, and become disgusted with, the amusement ; and, 
lastly, try various kinds and descriptions of exercise. 
At one time the dumb-bells, at another the Indian clubs; 
now the foil and now the cricket bat ; one day a run, 
and another a ride ; sometimes leaping and then vault- 
ing, with the parallel bars and the rope ; at other times 
throwing the discus, rowing, boating, diving, or even 
dancing. All these are good as exercises ; but the 
dumb-bells may be taken for, say, half an hour every 
morning and evening as fit preparation for any kind of 
mental or bodily labour or pleasure. 



II. — THE ENGLISH METHOD OF USING THE DUMB- 
BELLS. 

First Exercise. 

Position 1. — Hands to front, chest well out, elbows 
back, body perfectly erect, and heels together. Take 
the dumb-bells, bring them to the front of the chest, as 



3o 



DUMB-BELLS. 



in the diagram, then raise them above your head, as far 
as vour arms will extend — first one and then the other 
— see diagrams 1 and 2. Repeat, always resuming the 
original position in an easy and graceful manner. 

Position 2.— From the first position raise both hands 
together, and then bring them back as before, the chest 




Positions 1, 2, 3. 

well forward, and the head erect. Then bring the hands 
to the hips. Repeat. 

Position 3. — Now take the bells and bring them 
under the arm-pits, as in the engraving. Alternately 
raise and depress the hands. As the flexors and exten- 
sors of the upper arm are brought into play by the 
former exercises, so in this the muscles of the wrist and 
fore -arm are exercised. Repeat as often as necessary to 
perfect, but not to tire yourself. 



Second Exercise. 

Position 4. — From Position 3 assume the motions 
of a boxer, and pass the hands one over the other in 
front, striking out and drawing back alternately without 
jerk or violent movement. 

Tliird Exercise. 

Position 5. — From Position 4 pass to Position 5, as 
shown in the engraving. Let the feet be half a yard 



DUMB-BELLS. 



apart, and throw the arms and elbows well back ; then 
reverse the motion, by turning right and left, head well 
over the chest and your weight on the big toe. This 
movement is done with a spring ; and as you throw out 
your left arm, turn on the left toe, and vice versa. Re- 
peat. Bear in mind that as you come round in this 




Position 4. Position 5. 

position, you carry the right arm straight round to the 
left breast, well extending the right arm as before. 
Repeat this exercise till perfect. Here not only are the 
muscles of the arms and legs brought into activity, but 
the whole trunk partakes of the motion, and, as in 
boxing, limbs, body, and brain, are all employed. 

Fourth Exercise. 

Position 6. — Place the bells on the ground between 
the feet, which must be well apart. Now bend forward 
as in the illustration, take up the bells, and carry them 
upward, with well- extended arm, till you again assume 
the First Position. Now throw the bells up and down, 
as in Position 2, extending the arms, and finally bring- 
ing the bells between the feet, as at first. This is a good 
exercise, to be practised first with one bell and one arm, 
and then the other : lastly, try the exercise with both 
bells. 

Fifth Exercise. 

Position 7. — From Position 1 extend the arms, and 

. 



32 



DUMB-BELLS. 



swing them well back from the chest, keeping the hands 
parallel with the shoulders. Many adepts are able to 
swing the bells at the back as well as at the front, but 
it requires great practice to do this, and also great care. 
You can only perform this feat by dint of continual 




Position 6. Position 7. Position 8. 



trials. The bells should be carried round, as shown in 
the engraving ; when after a while you can make them 
touch behind, as well as in front. 



Sixth Exercise. 

Position 8. — This exercise is the reverse of the last 
— the main object being to swing the bells as far 
back and forward as the length of the arm will permit, 
keeping the hands as close together behind as possible. 

These are the usual exercises taught by the English 
method ; but several other ways of th rowing the arms 
will suggest themselves — as over and around the 
head, &c. ; but enough has been shown to enable any 
amateur to practise with the dumb-bells so as to insure 
a large amount of actual benefit. For weak and invalid 
constitutions, dumb-bells provide sufficient exercise 
without any great labour or fatigue. 



33 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS. 



The French have a far more elegant and amusing style 
of playing with dumb-bells, known as Trelar's method. 
It is taught in the French army, and generally in the 
higher class of schools. 

In these exercises the dumb-bells are fixed to the ends 
of a wooden or iron bar, so that the instrument presents 
the appearance of a pole, weighted at the ends with 
round knobs. The bar should be proportioned in length 
to the stretch of the performer's arms. From five to six 
feet is the usual length, but it should rather be longer 
than shorter than the person using it. The chief 
utility of this exercise is to promote ease of limb and 
grace of figure. In fact, it is far superior, though not, 
perhaps, quite so accessible and available as the ordinary 
dumb-bells. In the modern German school of gymnas- 
tics the use of the French dumb-bells is very frequent. 
They are employed in connection with the well-known 
"extension motions" — body erect, hands to the front, 
hand extended above the head and then brought down 
to the toes ; arms thrown outwards, upwards, forwards, 
backwards ; palms to the front, palms to the back, and 
so on, ad infinitum. The " extension motions " are very 
useful ; but, as they are best practised in classes, I do not 
here enlarge upon them. The Indian clubs and dumb- 
bells, on the contrary, may, with the aid of this hand- 
book, be used to great advantage by a single person in a 
small chamber or other convenient place. Increase of 
muscular strength is, of course, the object of all exercises 
of this description, whether practised solus or in classes. 
There is, however, a regular plan to pursue in order that 
the exercise should proceed progressively. The amateur 
cannot do better than follow the exercises in the order 
here laid down. 



34 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS, 



First Exercise. 

With the bar on the ground before you, stand upright 
as in the diagram (1). Then advance the right foot, as in 



H 




Fig. 1. 

fig. 2, bend downwards without bending the knees, and 
with the right hand seize the bar, bringing it up hori- 



2 




Fig. 2. 

zontally across the chest, as shown in fig. 3. Now carry 
the arm downwards, turn the wrist with the palm up, 
and from this position swing the bar and replace it on 
the ground. Keverse the exercise by advancing left foot 
and seizing the bar with the left hand. Then use both 



35 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS. 




3 6 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS. 



Second Exercise. 



From the first position, with the body erect, seize the 
bar with both hands, and by the same movement extend 
the arms so as to hold the bar as near to its extremities 
as you can. Carry the bar round, with an easy move- 
ment, to your back, and vice versa. 



Now advance with right foot, take the bar as in the 
second position, with both hands pretty close together — 
length, the stretch of your hands — and pass the bar over 
your head, as shown in the illustration, and afterwards 
reverse it in the direction of the dotted line and arrow. 
The same movement is then to be repeated with the left 
foot forward. Kemember that when the right foot is 



advanced the right hand goes up, and when the left foot 
is advanced the left hand is raised, and so on alternately. 

An examination of the diagrams (figs. 4 and 5), will 
explain more readily than any description the manner 



Third Exercise. 




Fig. 5. 



37 



r 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS. 



in which the bar is to be swung ; but you must remember 
that all violent and jarking action is to be avoided, and 
that all the motions are to be carried on with the ease 
that is, in fact, elegance in gymnastics. 

Fourth Exercise. 

From Position 1, advance with the right foot, and 
bring the left up to it. Then, turning to the left, ad- 




Fig. 6. 

vance left foot, stoop, seize the bar by the end, near feo 
: the knob, with left hand, raise the bar with the left 
hand, and at the same moment take it with the right 
hand above the centre, as in fig. (5. The next movement 
is to bring the bar to the position shown in the following 
engraving, whence it may be swung forwards and back- 
wards. These movements are to be repeated, first with 
one hand and then with the other. 




Fia. 7. 



38 



FRENCH DUMB-BELLS. 



All these exercises, both in the English and French 
methods, appear very simple when described on paper ; 
but when you come to try them you will discover that 
they are difficult enough to give you no little practice 
before you can accomplish them with ease and dexterity. 
As aids to indoor training they are very useful ; and, 
when combined with the Indian clubs, they will be found 
to constitute all th* requisites of a portable Gymnasium. 
The French bar, as well as the English dumb-bells, are 
comparatively inexpensive. jBotn should be found — .and 
used — in every school and everv family. 



39 



EXPERT FEATS WITH THE 
SWORD. 



Few public exhibitions are so popular az feats of 
strength and agility, skill, and expert manliness. With- 
out attempting to teach the use of the sword, which 
would require far more space than I can here command, 
I may show how some of the most celebrated sword- 
feats are performed. All my readers remember Sir 
Walter Scott's famous description of the feat said to have 
been performed by Saladin, the Moor, of cutting a piece 
of silk in twain, as it floated in the X with a sharp 
sabre. Many feats of similar charactc may be per- 
formed with a well-tempered and tolerably sharp sword ; 
and executed by a skilful operator, seem really won- 
derful, though, as a matter of fact, many apparently 
very difficult feats may be accomplished with compara- 
tively little practice. Dividing the bar of lead, cutting 
the leg of mutton, or the sheep, in halves with a single 
stroke, and many other similar exercises, depend rather 
upon knowledge and knack than upon actual strength. 
A moderate degree of strength, and v ^reat precision of 
eye and hand, are requisite for the successful accomplish- 
ment of all feats with the sword ; and constant practice is, 
of course, necessary before the performer can thoroughly 
master any of the exercises which I shall now endeavour 
to explain. 

SEVERING THE LEMON ON THE NAKED HAND. 

This feat is a very remarkable one. A lemon is held in 
the open palm of an assistant, and the performer, with a 



4 o 



r *~~ — 

EXPERT FEATS WITH THE SWORD. 



single cut, divides it fairly in halves, without injuring 
or so much as scratching the hand of the person who 
holds it. 




SEVERING THE LEMON. 

This is generally known as "Sir Charles Napier's 
Feat," as the following anecdote will explain : — On a 
certain occasion, the general was reviewing the troops in 
India, when a company of native jugglers, on the con- 
clusion of the business of the day, came forward to 
exhibit their tricks before the soldiery. Among other 
clever feats, was the severing a lemon on the hand of a 
bystander. The general expressed his astonishment at 
this performance, but could not believe but that there 
I was some collusion between the jugglers. He therefore 
asked them whether they would cut the lemon on his 
own hand. On replying in the affirmative, the general 
held out one of his hands ; but the performer, perceiving 
] i that it was contracted through an old wound, chose the 
other hand. " Ah," said the general, " I thought there 



EXPERT FEATS 



was some trick between you !" But the juggler placed 
the lemon in the general's other hand, raised his sharp 
sword in the air, and in an instant the two halves of the 
Jruit fell to the ground. Sir fcharies admitted after- 
wards that, had he not challenged the daring perform- 
ance, he would have withdrawn his hand ; and he 
described the feeling of the sharp edge coming down 
upon his palm, as that of a cold wet thread passing 
across it. 

This feeling I attribute rather to mental impression 
than to the sword's edge touching the general's hand ; 
and in my performance of this feat, I have accomplished 
it a dozen times on my own hand in a single evening, 
without the slightest touch of the sword. 

First, I must tell you that there is not the least 
danger, provided the holder of the lemon has entire 
confidence in the ability of the performer. The follow- 
ing is the correct method of procedure. The operator 
should place the lemon in the hand of a lady or gentle- 
man, and instruct her or him to keep the palm quite 
open, with the fingers close together, but not stiff, and 
the thumb spread back as far from the forefinger as 
possible. Then he should stand at the side of the 
person holding the lemon, and pass the sword over his 
head, bring it down under his hand, then up again, and 
so on several times, in order to test the nerve of the 
holder, and inspire him with confidence. When he 
finds he does not flinch, the operator should suddenly 
make the proper cut, and the lemon falls in twain, 
without hurting the hand that held it. 

Well : what is the proper cut 1 Here is a diagram of 
the old-fashioned sword cuts. By studying and practis- 
ing these cuts you may soon perform all the feats here 
described. The proper cut for the lemon feat is No. 7, 
or the down-cut. The point and hilt of the sword must 
L % e p-rfectly horizontal, so that the edge does not touch 
one part of the hand more than another, and the stroke 
of the sword must be a downward cut, not hard, but: 
proportioned to the size of the lemon. Be sure that in . 
this cut there is not the slightest drawing motion, or you 
will infallibly wound the hand. In order, however, 
that my readers may get accustomed to this feat, and 



42 



WITH THE SWORD. 



others of a similar character, I have devised a substitute 
for the hand, which is shown in the first illustration. 
On the top of it is a small pad of horsehair, covered 



7 




THE SWORD CUTS. 



with leather, so that the performer can see the force of 
his cut by the indentations he makes. The top of the 
stand may be arranged with a hole, or socket, so as to 
hold an egg, a cucumber, or anything else that it may 
be desirable to cut. 



PEELING THE APPLE IN THE HANDKERCHIEF. 

This is a feat similar to the succeeding one ; only, 
instead of the cut towards the centre, you must make 
Cut 4 at the edge of the apple, which must hang well 
down in the handkerchief. As each piece of the skin is 
cut off, it must be taken out of the handkerchief. The { 
real secret of this feat is the directness of the cut. In \ 



43 



EXPERT FEATS 



practising it, you had better begin with a blunt sword, 
with which there is less chance of cutting the silk than 
with a sharp-edged one. 

CUTTING AN APPLE INSIDE A SILK HANDKERCHIEF 
WITHOUT INJURING THE LATTER. 

This feat is known as Omar Pasha's feat, from the 
fact that he is said to have first practised it, never fail- 
ing to sever the apple without cutting the handkerchief, 




CUTTING THE APPLE INSIDE THE HANDKERCHIEF. 



but, on the contrary, carrying the silk on the edge of 
the sword nearly through the apple. There is no con- 
juring in this feat, which is performed with a sharp 
sword or scimitar, by Cut 4. The secret is that the 
sudden cut is unaccompanied by the slightest drawing 
action whatever ; for, if you make the least drawback 
with your sword, you will inevitably cut the silk. 



44 



WITH THE SWORD. 



Choose a good codlin, or any ripe eating apple that is 
not too brittle. Place the apple sideways in the centre 
of the handkerchief, and gather the four corners together. 
Then, when the handkerchief is held up by the corners, 
make the cut without bending the elbow, It will be 
seen that the apple is divided fairly in the centre, and 
the silk forced through the fruit 



TO CUT A BROOMSTICK PLACED ON THE EDGES OF 
TWO TUMBLERS OF WATER. 

Dr. Bachoffner introduced this feat in his lecture at 
the Polytechnic to show the force of concussion. He 
had a broomstick balanced nicely between the inner 




EXPERT FEATS 



without either injuring the tumblers or spilling the 
water. The secret of this feat, as correctly explained by 
the doctor, lies in the concussion being between the sword 
and the stick only ; but it requires to be very nicely 
performed. The stick must be accurately placed upon 
the tumblers, each end of the stick resting about three- 
eighths of an inch over the edge of the tumblers ; then, 
with Cut 7, strike the stick directly in the centre, being 
careful not to draw back the sword, or to allow the hilt 
and the point to diverge from the horizontal. The 
glasses must be placed on strong steady tressels, or on 
two tables, flat, and firmly resting on the ground. 

A more difficult modification of this feat is that of 
placing the broomstick on two very thin-stemmed wine- 
glasses, the stick being suspended on the latter by means 
of pins stuck into the end of the broomstick. In this 
feat, care must be taken that the stick actually touches 
the glasses. About three-eighths of an inch of each 
pin must project from the ends of the stick, and the cut 
made by one direct impulse, without draw or hesitation. 

The great secret of this, and other like feats with the 
sword, is to be found in the exactitude with which the 
stroke is made. Of course considerable practice is 
necessary before one succeeds sufficiently well to be able 
to perform them in public. But there is really no great 
art in them, providing you conquer the first difficulties. 
Some feats require a very sharp, thin sword ; others a 
strong, stout sabre ; but as you proceed you will find 
out for yourself what sort of weapon is best adapted 
for the particular feat to be performed. 



DIVIDING A SUSPENDED ORANGE. 

A very pretty and graceful feat this, which requires 
considerable practice, and nice calculation of time and 
distance, to accomplish properly ; for you must remember 
that failure in a single feat is loss of credit for the re- 
mainder of the performances. You must pass a thread 
through an orange with a needle, and make a knot at 



46 



WITH THE SWORD. 



the other end to prevent the thread slipping through. 
Leave about a yard or so of the thread above the 
orange, which may be suspended from the ceiling, or 
from the end of a stick which is held in the hand of a 
bystander. Then take a sharp scimitar, and with a well- 
directed Cut 5 divide the thread about midway, and, as 
the orange falls, make Cut 6, as shown in the diagram, 




DIVIDING THE SUSPENDED ORANGE. 



and you will cleave the orange fairly in halves. This 
feat is best performed by placing yourself in such a posi- 
tion as will give you uncontrolled command of the room. 
Make the first cut just above your own chest, and the 
last a few inches below it, calculating the time the orange 
takes to fall, just as you would calculate on hitting a 
ball with a rounder stick. The adroit performance of 
this feat is always received with applause. It can be 
equally well done with a sharp carving knife, but it is 
best to practise with the sword with which you mean to 



47 



I 



EXPERT FEATS 



show the trick. Quickness of eye and dexterity of hand 
are the erand assistants in this* as well as in all sword- 
feats. 



DIVIDING TEE CARCASE OF A WHOLE SEEEP. 

Among other popular feats with the sword are the 
dividing of the carcase of an entire sheep with a single 
cut, the severing of a leg of mutton in two halves, and 
the dividing of bars of lead, pillows of down, silk 




DIVIDING THE SHEEP. 



handkerchiefs, &&, as well as various other feats with 
the sabre. 

In the sheep feat, the carcase is fairly suspended, head 
downwards, and the performer should stand bo as to take 
a three-quarter view of the animal, neither too much on 
one side nor too much at the back. The sword should 



4^ 



WITH THE SWORD. 



be grasped tightly, close to the hilt, with the second 
joints of the fingers in a line with the edge, so that you 
may make a perfectly horizontal cut. Should the sword 
be held differently, the cut will be sure to be either up 
or down, thereby making a larger cut, with the chance 
of failure. Dividing the sheep is generally performed 
by Cut 6, although I have done it with Cut 5 ; but this 
last cut I do not recommend, as it is less powerful than 
Cut 6. The sheep should be struck with the sword 
about ten or eleven inches from its point, which will be 
found the cutting part of it. If the sheep be a very 
large one, the blow of the sword should be given so that, 
with the cut, you can at the same time thrust. But this 
cut and thrust is not necessary with a small sheep. The 
sword generally used for the sheep, leg of mutton, and 
bar of lead feats, is a ship's cutlass, some inches longer 
and stronger, and made of superior metal to that of the 
ordinary cutlass. The price of such a sword is about 
£1 Is. 



CUTTING TEE LEG OF MUTTON. 

This feat is performed in the same manner as cutting 
the sheep, with a steady, horizontal Cut 6. 

For both feats, the sword should be ground to a razor 
edge. Of course, frequent practice is necessary before 
success can be attained. The leg of mutton should be 
suspended by the shank from a beam in the ceiling, or a 
tripod of timber, or other convenient stand. The mutton 
should not be too newly killed. 



CUTTING THE BAE OF LEAD. 

This is a very pretty, but not very difficult feat. It is 
performed with a heavy ship's cutlass, ground sharp. 
The bar may either be placed on a stand or suspended, 
and in performing this feat a direct, decisive cut is neces- 
sary. Begin with a thin narrow bar, and increase the 
thickness as you become proficient. 



49 



EXPERT FEATS 



You will find it better to cast your own bars than to 
buy them, as any admixture of solder or other metal 
will be fatal to success. Any blacksmith can make 
you the iron mould for a few shillings, or the bar 




THE BAR OF LEAD AND THE MOULD. 



may be cast in sand, but you must be particularly care- 
ful that the sand is perfectly dry, or the hot lead will 
fly and become dangerous. In melting the lead, re- 
member that it should not be made too hot, as if it 
burns the bar is hard, and very difficult to cut. Allow 
the lead to cool gradually ; do not plunge it into water, 
or take any other means of rapidly getting rid of the 
caloric, for if you do, you will make the bar so hard as 
to render it nearly impossible to cut. The lead when 
cast is triangular in shape. The above is an end view 
ot the bar, and in cutting it you must strike the edge 
first. 



50 





WITH THE SWORD. 



SLICING VEGETABLE MARROWS, CUCUMBERS, 
EGGS, ETC 

The Indians pride themselves very much, on these 
feats, which Lord Hardwicke fully described to me. 
They practise them under the shade of the Kaila, or 
Plaintain tree, and the sword they use is called the 
Khandatroii. They commence cutting at the tree, some- 
times from as high as they can reach, and sometimes 
close to the butt ; and then, cutting as thin slices as 
possible, they gradually ascend, slicing it up as we do a 
cucumber — the thinner the slices the more admirable the 
performance. After they have cut or made as many 
slices as they can, they shake the tree, and it tumbles 
into pieces ! In this country the vegetable marrow or 
cucumber may be substituted for the Plaintain tree. 
The plan is to place the butt of the cucumber or 
marrow firmly in a piece of clay, and standing it on 
the table, commence cutting from the bottom end, into 
as many thin slices as possible, all the way up, without 
disturbing the perpendicular position of the cucumber. 
A similar feat has been performed with a boiled egg 
placed in the clay. But you commence at the top of 
the egg, taking off as many slices as possible, without 
breaking the bottom shell. These feats require to be 
performed very dexterously, with a sharp thin sword. 

There are other feats performed by the Indians, of a 
very clever, but rather dangerous character ; such, for 
instance, as cutting a clove in halves on the nose of a 
brother performer. One Indian lies on the ground, and 
the clove is placed perpendicularly on his nose, and 
the swordsman, after making some of the most extra- 
ordinary twinings and twistings, brings his sword down 
on the clove, and severs it in halves, to the intense 
astonishment of the beholders. 



CUTTING THE ORANGE UNDER THE NAKED HEEL. 

The assistant stands on a chair, and places his right 
heel on the orange. He stands with his feet well apart, 
the toes and heels in a horizontal line. The swordsman 



Si 



EXPERT FEATS 



then advances, light foot first, and when he has taken a 
step on to the left, he immediately turns, and cuts the 
orange in two in turning. This is done with Cut 6. and 
is a highly difficult feat, even to the most accomplished 
swordsman, 

CUTTING PILLOWS OF DOWN, SILK HANDKERCHIEFS, 
EIBBONS, ETC. 

These feats can only be performed with a razor-edged 
scimitar of excellent temper ; a soft blade will not take 
a sufficiently fine edge. The scimitar should be kept in 
a wooden sheath, when not in use, and should be rubbed 
on a strop like a razor, both before and after use. The 
pillow is usually thrown up in the air, and the swords- 
man makes a circular drawing cut from 6 to 5 as the 
pillow falls. The handkerchief, ribbons, &c, are usually 
opposed to the edge of the sword, close to the hilt, and 
with a yery swift drawing cut they are severed in two. 
The ability of the swordsman is shown by his cutting 
them into the greatest possible number of pieces. 



Sword-play is of yery ancient origin, as we find it 
mentioned frequently in the Saxon chronicles, and in 
the pages of Froissart, Stow, and others ; but the feats 
here mentioned are of comparatively modern intro- 
duction. The athletes among the Eomans were all used 
to the sword, and doubtless performed with it many 
wonderful and daring feats ; but they are vastly ex- 
ceeded by the native tribes in India, to whom the razor- 
edged sabre is perfectly familiar. 

The strong, long, tremendous sword of the ancients 
y in time gave place to the rapier and the sabre. On- the 
\ Continent especially, the rapier was regularly employed 
• in duels. " The masters of the noble science," says Sir 
Walter Scott, " were chiefly Italians. They made great 
mystery of their art and mode of instruction : never 
\ suffered any person to be present but the scholar who 
! was to be taught, and even closely examined beds and 
other places of possible concealment. These lessons 



52 



WITH THE SWORD. 



1 



often gave the most treacherous advantages ; for the 
challenger, having the right to choose his weapons, 
frequently selected some strange, unusual, or incon- 
venient description of arms, the use of which he 
practised under these instructors, and thus "killed at his 
ease his antagonist, to whom it was for the first time 
presented." Broadswords and targets were used by the 
Highlanders till about the year 1745. 

A Highlander once fought a Frenchman at Margate, 
Their weapons a rapier, backsword and target ; 
Brisk monsieur advanced as fast as he could, 
But all his fine pushes were caught on the wood ; 
And Sawney with backsword did slash him and nick him, 
While t'other, enraged that he could not once prick him, 
Cried, " Sirrah, you rascal, you great big black boar, 
Me fight you, begar ! if you'll come from your door !" 

The thorough use of the sword as a weapon of offence 
was not completely understood, however, till bucklers 
; or shields were abolished ; but even lately, in some parts 
of India, the shield was used in conjunction with the 
sabre. To show with what cleverness the native tribes 
of India use their weapons, we may take an extract 
from Captain Nolan's popular work : — 

" \\ lien I was in India," he says, "an engagement 
took place between the Nizam's Irregular Horse and 
some rebels. My attention was particularly drawn to 
the doctor's report of his killed and wounded, most of 
whom suffered by the sword. In the column of remarks, 
such entries as the following were numerous : ' Arm 
cut from the shoulder ' — ' Head severed ' — 1 Both hands 
cut off (apparently at one blow) above the wrists, in 
holding up the arms to protect the head' — £ Leg cut off 
above knee, 1 and so on." 

Captain Nolan afterwards visited the scene of action ; 
u and fancy my astonishment," he says : " the swords 
they had used were chiefly old Dragoon blades that had 
been cast from our service. The men had remounted 
them after their own fashion. The hilt and handle, both 
I of metal ; were small in the grip, rather flat, not round 
[; like ours, where the edge seldom falls true. They had 
I an edge like a razor, from hilt to point, and were worn 



53 



EXPERT FEATS WITH THE SWORD. 



in wooden scabbards. An old trooper of the Nizam's 
told me that old English sword-blades were in great 
favour with them, remounted and ground sharp. I 
asked ' How do you strike with your swords to cut off 
mens limbs ? ' i Strike hard, sir,' replied the old trooper. 
'Yes, of course ; but how do you teach them to use 
their swords in that particular w~ay ? ' (drawing it). 4 We 
never teach th^&a any way. A sharp sword will cut in 
any one's hand.' " 

Now here the old trooper was wrong ; or, perhaps, he 
did not care to explain his entire secret. The real 
reason of his dexterity lay in the oblique drawing 
motion common to the warriors of Eastern nations, who 
are generally famous as swordsmen. The chopping and 
driving method formerly taught in European armies is 
not nearly so effective as the oblique drawing cut I have 
so frequently mentioned. 

In all exercises with the sword, coolness and dexterity 
are paramount ; but, as I have merely introduced a few 
/ of the more prominent experiments, I must refrain from 
further remark. The use of the sword in fencing is 
a stiuty altogether too important to be discussed in a few 
pages. 

So much for expert feats with the sword. But you 
must not suppose that any one of them can be per- 
formed without considerable practice. Failure, no less 
than perseverance, is the parent of success ; therefore 
do not be discouraged if, in your first attempts, you do 
not succeed so Weil as you could wish. Try, and try, 
and try again. Some of my best pupils have ^ com- 
menced in the most awkward fashion ; but by dint of 
patience and perseverance they have become expert 
swordsmen. 



54 



DEAN'S PRACTICAL BOOKS FOE THE REARING AN© 
BREEDING OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 



Poultry ; How Best to Breed. For Pleasure, 

Exhibition and Prize. With Illustrations and De- 
scriptions, to be seen at a glance, of the several Breeds, 
and the points of excellence as laid down by Prize 
Winners and Experienced Judges. Edited by Robert 
Fulton. With chapters on Diseases and Methods of 
Cure, Proper Construction of Houses, &c. Price Is. 

Or, without the chapters on Diseases, Illustrations 
and Methods of Cure, &c, 6d. Stiff cover in colours. 

Domestic Poultry ; How to Profitably Rear 

and Keep. Including Turkeys, Pheasants, Ducks. Geese, 
Swans, &c. By J. M. Moffatt. Large and well- 
execut-d Engravings of the several kinds of Fowls. 
New edition, improved by F. Crook, Esq. 6d. 

Profitable Fowls and Eggs; and koto to 

make Money of them. With Illustrations by Harrison 
Weir. Price 6d. post free. 

Pigeons ; How to Bear, Breed, 

and Keep. Directions for Breeding, Pro- 
per Treatment, and Management of 
Common and Fancy Pigeons. By J. 
Rogers. Illustrated. .Price 6d., cover 
in colours. 

Rabbits, and their Habits. How to Eear, Feed, 

Keep, and Treat. Being a complete Guide for all 
Rabbit Keepers. By J. Rogers. With Engravings of 
the several varieties. New edition, revised by Mr. 
W. Heath, prize winner at the Crystal Palace. Price 
6d., cover in colours. 

Dogs ; Hoio to Breed and Treat in Health 

and in Disease. Engravings of the several varieties of 
Field, Sporting, and Fancy Dogs. Methods of Treating 
the various Diseases to which they are subject. By 
B. Clayton. Price 6d., cover printed in colours. 

DEAN & SON, PUBLISHERS; &e. 16&A, FLEET STREET, E.C. 
Manufacturers of Christmas, Birthday and Easter Cards. Oldest 
Makers of Valentines. 




PRIZE BOOKS. 



With Eighteen new Illustrations on Wood of Prize Dogs. 

Dogs: their Points, Whims, Instincts, am. 



Peculiarities* 




Edited by Henry Webb, assisted with 
Chapters by J. Cumming Macdona, 
and other distinguished Prize Win- 
ners and experienced Judges. 5s. ■ 
or with sixty Photographs of Prize 
Winners and Index, Is. 6d. extra. 

The Members of the Mastiff Breeding 
Club, in Council, determined that ike 
C-hapter by Mr. Wynn be the standard of 
points in breeding Mastiffs. 

"The Editor has succeeded in doing 
what he professed to do, and that is more 
than can be said about the work of many 
editors * * * Having said that Mr. Webb 
has carried out his programme to the 
letter, what remains for us here is the re- 
commendation that admirers of the canine 
race should purchase the book. They 
will not regret the trifling investment." — 
The Spostsmon. 

** * * * Tells a good deal about the 
points, whims, instincts, and peculiarities 
of dogs, and many things worth knowing 
may be learnt from its perusal * * *" — 
The Army and Navy Gazette. 



Most exhaustive and amusing. Dr. Gordon Stables on 

CATS : their Points and Characteristics 

i * ATS, with coloured portraits 
^ of Prize Winners. 

CATS, with curiosities of Cat 
life. 

pATS, their Points and Ya- 
^ rieties. 

CATS, how to train, teach, 
tricks, &c. 
p ATS, authenticated anec- 
^ dotes. 

p ATS, how to exhibit to obtain 
^ Prizes. 

Cloth gilt, 7s. 
Dr. Stables' Work must be read 
with pleasure by all. 

DEAN & SON, PUBLISHERS, &c, 160a, FLEET S l REET. E.C. 
Manufacturers of Christmas, Birthday and Easter Curds. Oldest 
Makers of Valentines. 




PHIZE BOOKS. 



With Eighteen new Illustrations on Wood of Prize Dogs. 

Dogs: their Points, Whims, Instincts, and 



Peculiarities. 




Edited by Henry Webb, assisted with 
Chapters by J. Cumming Macdona, 
and other distinguished Prize Win- 
ners and experienced Judges. 5s. ; 
or with sixty Photographs of Prize 
Winners and Index, Is. 6d. extra. 

The Members of the Mastiff Breeding 
Club, in Council, determined that the 
Chapter by Mr. Wykx be the standard of 
points in breeding Mastiffs. 

" The Editor has succeeded in doing 
what he professed to do, and that is more 
than can be said about the work of many 
editors * * * Having said that Mr. Webb 
has carried out his programme to the 
letter, what remains for us here is the re- 
commendation that admirers of the canine 
race should purchase the book. They 
will not regret the trifling investment."— 
The Spostsmon. 

« * * * T e ]l s a good deal about tlie 
points, whims, instincts, and peculiarities 
of dogs, and many things worth knowing 
may be learnt from its perusal * * *"— 
The Army and Navy Gazette. 



Most exhaustive and amusing. Dr. Gordon Stables on 

CATS: their Points and Characteristics : 

( ^ ATS, with coloured portraits 

-J of Prize Winners. 
pATS, with curiosities of Cat 
^ life. 

OATS, their Points and Va- 

^ rieiies. 

OATS, how to train, teach, 

^ tricks, &c. 

(^ATS, authenticated anec- 
^ dotes. 

CATS, how to exhibit to obtain 
Prizes. . 

Cloth gilt, 7s. 
Dr. Stables' Work must be read 
with pleasure by all. 

DEAN & SON, PUBLISHERS, &c, 160a, FLEET S TREET. E.C. 
Manufacturers of Christmas, Birthday and Easter Cards. Oldest 
Makers cf Valentines, 





GHAMPION SERIES 

OF 

ILLUSTRATED SIXPENNY 

HANDBOOKS. 



The SERIES of TWELVE for 5s. 

1— LAWN TENNIS, BADMINTON, FOOT BALL, 

AMERICAN BASE BALL. By Captain Wilson. 6d. 

2 — BILLIARDS. Illustrated and Explained by Capt. 

Crawley; with the correct Rules of the several 
Games, and the True Principles of the Side and Spot 
Strokes. 

3— CHESS. A Manual for Beginners. By the Author 

of Chess Openings. With Patterns. 6d. post free. 

4— CRICKET, AND HOW TO PLAY IT; with 

the Rules of the Marylebone Club. By John Wisden. 
6d. post free. 

5— DRAUGHTS, AND HOW TO PLAY. By W. 

Patterson. 6d. 

G— FISHING: A comprehensive Handbook of the 
Art. Illustrated and Explained by G. 
C. Davies. 6d. 

7— GYMNASTICS AND BICYCLING. 

Illustrated and Explained by Captain 
Crawley. Price 6d. 

8— INDIAN CLUBS, DUMB-BELLS 

AND SWORD EXERCISES. By Pro- 
fessor Harrison. Illustrated. 6d. 

9— MAGIC LANTERN. With full Di- 

rections How to Use, and for Painting 
Slides. By John Allen. 6d. 

10— PRESERVING AND STUFFING, BIRDS, 

QUADRUPEDS, FISHES AND REPTILES. With 
Useful Hints on the Preservation of Birds' Eggs, 
Butterflies, &c. &c. 6d; 

11— ROWING, SCULLING, AND YACHTING. By 

a Member of the Thames Yacht Club. Illustrated. 6d. 

12— SWIMMING. Illustrated and Explained by 

Harry Gurr, Ex- Champion Swimmer of England. 6d. 




DEAN & SON, PUBLISHERS, &c, l60A, FLEET STREET, E.C. 



DEAN 6- SON'S SERIES OF 

ONE SHELLING PRACTICAL GUIDE BOOKS. 



Canaries and Mules; their Varieties and Points. 

How to Breed, Rear, and Keep in Health, with Remedies for the 
rarious Diseases to which they are subject. By Jambs Sabin. Price Is , 
with coloured pictures ot the fifteen varieties of Canaries. 

Or, without the chapter on Mules, and the prints plain. Cover in 
colours, 6d. 

The Bird-Keeper's Guide and British Aviary; or, 

Song Birds, how to Rear and Keep them in Health, and how to Pre- 
serve them when Dead. With Addenda on the various Breeds of 
Canaries. By Thomas Andrkwks. Frontispiece in colours. Is sewed. 

Or, bound in cloth, with twenty plates, showing- the Male and Female 
Bird of tlie several varieties, with their Eggs. Price 2s. 

Parrots ; How to Treat and Teed. By Marriott, In- 
cluding Cockatoos, Macaws, Parokeets, Lories, &a, Is. 

Or, with twenty-eight Steel Plate Portraits, bound in cloth, 2s. 6d. 

Poultry; How Best to Breed. For Pleasure, Exhibition and 

Prize. With Illustrations, and the Points of Excellence as laid down 
by Prize Winners and Experienced Judges. Edited by Robert Fui.ton. 
Chapter on Diseases and Methods of Cure, &c., Price is. 

Or, without the chapters on Diseases, Illustrations and Methods of 
Cure, &c, 6d. Stiff cover in colours. 

Horses ; The Gentleman's Guide to their Choice, Keep 

and Management. By James Mills, M.V.C.S. With Suggestions 
relative to the Treatment of the Diseases of Horses, &c. Rarey's 
Instructions for the Taming of Horses and the Art of Horsemanship. 
Price is., cover in colours. 

Aquaria, Handbook of Fresh-Water, and its contents of Gold 

and other Fish. Contains plain Instructious for the Manas em ent and 
Construction of Aquaria; Treatment of Plants, Molluscs, Beetits, 
Reptiles, &c, kept therein. By J Bishop, A. H. Llovd. F. S. LtACH, 
Thirty-five Illustrations. Price Is. cover in colours. 

Household Hints for Young Housewives. Proper arrange- 
ments and receipts for Fortv Dinners, suitable for families and family 
parties. New Edition, revised throughout. By Martha Careful. 
Price is., cloth lettered. 

The Housemaid and Parlour-maid: What they have to do 

and how to do it. Price is. 

Dean's Family Double-check Washing Book, containing 

improved and complete perforated double-check alphabetical List of 
Families' Washing for Twenty-six weeks. Price Is. sewed in handsome 
stiff cover. 

Dean's Ladies' and Gentlemen's London Letter Writer. 

New and Original Modern Letters, forming models for correspondence 
on Courtship. Friendship, Duty, and Business. By Charlks Acton 4 
Smith, B. A. Price Is. 



DEAN & SON, Publishers and Factors, 160a, Fleet Street, E.C. 



iifiip 




